Living Wage 2018

Calgary’s living wage is not the minimum wage. Minimum wages are legislated by the provincial government and are set so that no employer may pay below the legal minimum. A living wage is a proxy for the cost of living in any given community. It is not an arbitrary number, but is instead determined by calculating average expenses, taxes and government transfers for a given household. A living wage considers the basic needs of an average family of four with two working parents and two children, plus additional costs we all incur from time to time, to allow for a family to fully participate, thrive and build their human and financial assets (e.g., education and savings).